The White Dream in Mykonos: Wind Riders

The windmills are probably the most recognisable landmarks in Mykonos. They have been in existence since the 16^th century.

The region of Ano Meria has most of the Upper Mills of Hora. Together with those that operated in other parts of the island, they once served the residents of their local area and the countryside; whilst the Lower Mills of Hora were, according to tradition, mainly involved with the grinding of grain for areas outside the island.

The Lower Mills of Hora are the signature landmarks in postcards on Mykonos.

The closer view of he Lower Mills of Hora from one of the Upper Mills of Hora is just so spectacular.

The windmills do not operate by solid propellers but with sails on yards. When the windmills are not in operation, the sails are all rolled up on the yards. Once the sails are unrolled, they will ride on the wind. Therefore, if there is an unbalanced and unequal pressure of the wind on certain one-piece sails, the yards would break and the whole rotating mechanism would be destroyed. For this reason, it was forbidden to build near a mill and or quite a distance around it because the buildings nearby would cause swirling wind passing on to the windmills.

The Lower Mills of Hora as viewed from Little Venice.

The windmills are basically whitewashed cylinders with conical wooden roof covered with straws. However, the simple architecture is just so pleasing to the eyes. They are just so cute.

The basic geometrical forms of cylinders and cones.

The whole roll of wind riders.

The same roll of windmills from a lower viewing angle.

The sails are all rolled up on the yards when they are not in operation.

This is one of the Upper Mills of Hora where the sails are partly unrolled to ride on the wind.

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

• Acropolis
• Ancient Agora
• National Archaeological Museum
• Exposé at the Parliament Building
• Neoclassical Trilogy
• The Walking Tour
• The Graffiti
• The Central Market
• Panoramic View

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

• Whitewashed Cube Houses
• Stairways to Heaven
• Barricades in Paradise
• Sea Breeze
• Wind Riders
• With a Little Bit of Red
• Roaming the Streets
• The Holy Ground
• When the Sun is Going Down
• I've Been to Paradise

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

• Roaming Around the Streets of Fira
• Gazing at the Sea in Fira
• The Southern Crosses in Fira
• The Golden Hour at Fira
• Fira Sunset and After Dark
• Strolling the Streets in Oia
• The Cliffs and the Sea in Oia
• The Domes and the Bells in Oia
• The Barriers in Oia
• The Sunset at Oia
• The Volcano at Nea Kameni
• The Black-sand Beach of Kamari
• Ancient Thira

4. Miscellaneous

• Piraeus – Tinos – Mykonos
• Delos – The Open Air Museum on an Island
• From Mykonos to Thira
• Nuts about Kebab
• Patras